In Christ
If we are born again, then we are in Christ. This subject is often discussed yet remains challenging and mysterious. I hope this chapter makes the term being in Christ practical and illustrates how we can live in Christ.
There is a mascot to entertain the audience during baseball or basketball games. In a theme park, we also find mascots entertaining children and older people; it is an additional feature. Disneyland, for example, has Mickey Mouse. Everyone thinks of him as a mouse. Did you know that this mascot doesn't exist at all? Did you know that it is either a man or woman dressed up as a mascot? Did you know that there is a man or woman representing Mickey Mouse? We are in Christ with our spirit and have 'put on' Jesus. We are no longer living alone; for ourselves, we are now living in Christ, and for Christ, and we have become one. We look like Jesus and have received authority from Him to heal the sick, expel demons, and perform signs and wonders in His name.
In Christ: A Sacred Life
In the previous chapter, we read that we have been forgiven, redeemed, justified, and sanctified. We are justified because we have received the righteousness of Jesus. This is because we came in Christ when we were born again. Water baptism significantly impacts coming in Christ, and Paul often links water baptism to being in Christ. Let's have a look at Paul's teaching.
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him. (Romans 6:3-8)
This is a long passage with complicated explanations. Let's examine it together to understand what is written here. Paul says that we came into Christ through baptism. Spiritually, we have experienced the events of Jesus' crucifixion. Through baptism, we are spiritually crucified and resurrected with Jesus.
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? (Romans 6:3)
The first thing that happened was that we were baptized into Christ's death. Before we came to faith, we were in sin and living for ourselves. This life was wrong and must disappear before we can walk in God's Kingdom. Our old life must be slain, and this happens during water baptism. Through baptism, we descend into the baptismal water. Spiritually, at that moment, our old life is slain and crucified in the Lord Jesus on the cross. Our old life, full of sin and unrighteousness, is slain through baptism.
Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. (Romans 6:6)
Our old life has been crucified with Him, so our old and sinful life has been wiped out. Our old life is gone, and therefore, we no longer have to serve sin but live in freedom from sin. The power and reign of sin are gone, allowing us to live a sinless life.
Imagine this: a father abuses, bullies, and scolds his children. He does this every day, and the children are used to it. One day, the children return from school and walk into the room. They expect to be scolded, but nothing happens. Their father lies motionless in the chair and has died. The father can no longer sin because he is dead; the same happens to our old life. Our old life is dead and no longer affects our present life.
However, we might still need to deal with the sins of the past. As it were, our old life has convulsions, sometimes allowing a thought or pleasure of sin to creep into our thinking. Paul urges us to leave our old life on the cross, even after water baptism. We are living a new life and must leave our old life behind.
And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24)
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth (…). (Colossians 3:5)
Because our old self has been crucified, the power of sin no longer has any control over our lives. We are free from sin.
For he who has died has been freed from sin. (Romans 6:7)
Our old self has died. The second thing that has happened is that we have been buried in Christ.
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death (…). (Romans 6:4)
I suppose everyone has walked across a cemetery before. At the cemetery, you have headstones, and underneath is the coffin with the deceased. Everyone knows that the deceased remains dead and cannot be resurrected from the dead. (We ignore for a moment now that God brings everyone back to life at the end). No one expects anyone to come back to life. The same is true of our old life. Our old life was crucified, was slain, and is now buried. It would be unreasonable for our old life to resurrect and return to life. In Christ, our old life has been buried, and it remains buried. We have said goodbye to our old life. It is gone.
The third thing that happens during baptism is that we rise into a new life with Jesus Christ.
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)
Our old life is gone, but this doesn't imply that we have nothing left after baptism. In fact, we receive a new life founded in the Lord Jesus. We no longer live alone but with Christ and the Holy Spirit with a new sacred walk of life. We receive the new life as a gift from God, and at the same time, God asks us to walk in this new life. In verse 5, Paul further elaborates on our new life.
For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection. (Romans 6:5)
We have been united with Jesus in His death; therefore, we will also be alike in His resurrection. If you have become one with Jesus, why would you still sin? Why, then, would you not lead a sacred life? This is a question Paul asks the church in Rome (Romans 6:2). This is because our old life has died, so we can no longer enjoy the sinful world. We were made new and live in Christ. We are a new creation with a new identity.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
After baptism, you become a new creation. The old sinful life is gone, and the new sacred life in Christ has begun. God has given this identity to all His children.
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. (Galatians 6:14-15)
The only thing we can boast of is the cross of Jesus. The cross means the sinful world has been crucified for us, and we no longer have to look at our old lives. As a result of the cross, we have been redeemed from sin. Wherever you come from, no matter what your background is, we have all become new creations in Christ.
In Colossians 3, Paul explains what it means to slay our old life and put on our new life. We must no longer walk in fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, greed, anger, wrath, slander, and obscene language. We may walk in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, gratitude, and love. We are mindful of the matters above.
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-3)
You've probably seen wristbands that say WWJD on them. This is an abbreviation of What Would Jesus Do? By asking yourself this, you will know what is right or wrong. What would Jesus do to a homeless man? What would Jesus do in this situation? Paul says in Colossians that we should seek and consider the things above, where Christ is. Since we are now living in Christ, it is also appropriate for us to think and do the things of Christ and stop the world's sins and distractions. We do this because we are new creations; we believe in the things of Jesus and are filled with the Holy Spirit.
By being born again, you are in Christ. God has given you a new sacred identity, and you live in a new realm: the Kingdom of God. In this Kingdom are the people God appointed as His own—and you are a citizen (1 Peter 2:9). You belong to God and may increasingly resemble God and Jesus.
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)
Steps to Be in Christ
How can we walk in Christ? It is essential to realize that this is the identity in which God puts us. When we are born again, we are in Christ. Our job is to recognize this and apply it in our lives. Because we now live with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we desire to stop sinning and live sacred lives. The most crucial step to being in Christ is water baptism. Through water baptism, we come in Christ and are made equal in His death, burial, and resurrection. Then, the Holy Spirit guides us, and we receive the power of the Holy Spirit to walk in our new life in Christ. Additionally, the Bible calls us to slay our earthly desires and lusts and renew ourselves continuously so that we increasingly resemble Jesus.
In Christ: A Life with Authority
Being in Christ does not only mean we live sacred lives and resemble Jesus in His righteousness. It also means that in Christ, we have been given power and authority to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom on earth. When the Lord Jesus resurrected from the dead, He instructed the disciples He appeared to and told them about the Kingdom of God.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:18-19)
The Lord Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth. Everything is subject to the Lord Jesus; therefore, we may go and teach the people. The Lord Jesus doesn't have a little power or isn't a little more powerful than the devil and the demons; Jesus has all authority and stands well above the devil and the demons. We are in Christ, and that means we are together with Christ above the demons and devil. Jesus has given us the authority to heal the sick, for example. Our spirit is set in the heavenlies together with Jesus.
(…) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (…). (Ephesians 2:6)
It has already happened. By the heavenlies, we should think of different areas in heaven. For example, there is a part where the devil and demons have a say (Ephesians 2:2). The Lord Jesus and God the Father are seated in the supreme part of the realms, and we in Christ are also seated there. Just as Christ is above all power, strength, and dominion, we in Christ are also above all power, strength, and dominion.
(…) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:19-23)
In Ephesians 1, Paul explains the power given to believers. The power that made Jesus rise from the dead is present in believers, and as a result, we have become a new creation. We are not powerless on earth but are full of power and authority. This is a power given by God to those who believe. God has given us some realms of authority and power to rule over these realms in Christ. We get to these parts in the following chapters, which include healing the sick and casting out demons. Jesus now sits at the right hand of God the Father and is far above all powers and forces. Since we are in Christ, we are also far above all powers and forces. We still have to battle against these powers (Ephesians 6:10-18), but we should know that we can overcome these powers if we remain in Christ.
Jesus received all authority from God the Father. Jesus also has all authority over the church, for He is the head of the church and thus leads the church and says what should be done. The Lord Jesus has delegated His received authority from God the Father to the believers. This doesn't imply that a believer can claim and manifest everything because Jesus has given limits to our authority. Nevertheless, it does mean that Jesus has given us realms to execute authority. Some realms are given to all believers, like healing the sick, and others are granted to individual believers, like a father over his family or a pastor over his congregation. Jesus has given us authority, and we have received it because we are in Christ. In the remainder of this chapter, let us examine what authority biblically means and how it works in God's Kingdom.
When the Lord Jesus was walking around on earth, a centurion (a rank in the Roman army) came to Him to ask Him to heal His servant.
Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented." And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." (Matthew 8:5-9)
In the Roman army, everyone is submissive to the emperor. All must listen to the emperor. However, the emperor cannot personally order everyone to do something. Therefore, the emperor appointed men under his authority and delegated certain authority to them to control the people under them. We also encounter this in the US Army. For instance, we know the ranks of general, colonel, major, captain, lieutenant, corporal, etc. Everyone is accountable to the one above him—from whom they receive authority over those below them. The centurion lived in such a system; hence, he knew he was under the authority of his superiors and had soldiers under him. He observed that the soldiers listened to him and did what he said. The centurion knew this was true not only in the physical world but also in the spiritual one. This works similarly in the Kingdom of God, and the centurion saw this from the authority of Jesus. This is how it works for us, too. We are all under the authority of God and have received authority from God so that those under us do what we say. So, who is under us? If we are in Christ, what/those under us are all powers, authority, and dominion in the spiritual world. When God gives us a mission, He also gives us the means and authority to accomplish that mission. We already see this in the ministry Jesus gave to His disciples.
And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. (Matthew 10:1)
The Lord Jesus didn't only do this with these 12 disciples. Later on, seventy others joined them. They were given the same assignment.
After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. (...) heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The Kingdom of God has come near to you.' (Luke 10:1-9)
In the same way, Jesus gave these disciples the power to cast out demons and heal any disease, the Lord Jesus also gives His followers the power to heal the sick and cast out demons today. For believers it is normal that these signs follow. (Mark 16:17-18). It is what God wants to give to all believers, and our job is to pray for workers who will use their authority. Besides, what is the point if workers have no tools, are not allowed to do anything, and cannot do anything? I thank God that we may do the same as the disciples and do the same as Jesus.
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. (John 14:12)
Jesus has all power and authority and has given us power and authority to do the same as Him and even more than He did. We can and may do all the works Jesus did on earth because we are in Christ.
Steps to Be in Christ
God has put us in Christ, and that is the identity we have received. God has given us the power and authority to perform miracles. To function well in this, obeying God and understanding why and for what God has given us authority is essential. We do this by studying the Bible and looking at what Jesus and God have given us and God's will in a situation. Besides the decision of will in the Bible in general, the Holy Spirit can reveal personal decisions of will to us. It is essential, therefore, to listen to the Holy Spirit. Subsequently, we stand in faith before the miracle that God will perform. Since we receive this authority in Christ, it is important to be born again and baptized. Later in this book, we will return to some areas of authority that God has given to citizens of the Kingdom, such as healing the sick and casting out demons.
Summary
When we are born again, we are placed in Christ. Our old sinful life is behind us, and from baptism, we live a new sacred life with the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The old has passed away, and the new has come. This means that we no longer have to sin but may live sacred lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul, therefore, calls us to put to death the sins and works of the earth, and in Christ, we live a holy life. In addition, in Christ, we live a life of authority. For example, God has given us the authority to cast out demons and heal the sick. We are workers of God, and God wants us to reap His harvest. God has given us various tools and authority to do this job well. Being in Christ is the identity that every believer has received from God and is allowed to walk in.